"What are the stories behind the men and women who have wreaked havoc in the name of wealth, power, and prestige? Is there any excuse for the actions of those who have been responsible for the deaths of so many? These sixteen fascinating biographies of the world's most notorious and dangerous people-including Attila the Hun, Vlad the Impaler, Queen Mary I of England, Ivan the Terrible, Hernâan Cortâes, Pol Pot, and others-provide a glimpse into their characters, influences, legacies, and incredibly deadly hearts. These are the stories behind the often powerful, always cruel, people who have landed on the wrong side of history-the dark side"--